Israel: Attempt to Smuggle Weapons from Syria Discovered

Published January 10th, 2002 - 03:00 GMT

Israel said it had broken an arms-smuggling ring originating in Syria.

Israel said it had broken an arms-smuggling ring originating in Syria. According to Israeli press reports, the ring planned to smuggle weapons into the Palestinian territories. An Israeli court on Wednesday claimed that the Syrian who masterminded the operation has been arrested on charges of attempting to smuggle the weapons from Syria to the occupied Golan Heights, according to Kuwait News Agency (Kuna).

Investigators claim that five land mines, fifteen fragmentation grenades, and operating instructions for the explosive devices were found during a raid in the occupied village of Majd El Shams.

The former resident of the village, who fled to Syria in 1987, is suspected of running the operation. Several other village residents have also been arrested. Israeli police suspect them of espionage. Their names have not been released thus far.

The residents had reportedly planned to smuggle the weaponry into Israel and hide them. Afterwards, they were to contact a Palestinian who would transfer the explosives to Palestinian organizations, reported Israel Radio. (Albawaba.com)